U14 Academy take PRF United Cup in Cincinnati

The team started out right with a 3-0 win over GFC Arsenal. Luke Goodnetter scored the winning goal on a flick on header from Alden Bennett who received the ball from a Jack McDermott free kick. The second goal was scored when Bennett took a free kick from deep on the left side of the field. Stevie Bares aggressively attacked the ball and headed the ball into the net from just outside the six. The final goal for the match occurred when Bennett served another free kick into Goodnetter who proceeded to shoot. The keeper was unable to hold onto the ball and Brandon Biel followed the shot and easily knocked the ball into the back of the net.

The second game was against SC Premier 92 Comets. The Academy team drew first blood when Bennett served a well placed ball behind the defense for Danny DeChant. DeChant then proceeded to place a ball over the keeper from a very difficult angle. The Comets tied the game on a corner kick which Elm Grove keeper Adam Haefner successfully parried, but which landed in the Academy box and was collected by a Comet player who was allowed to shoot and scored. The game remained tied until the final minute of the game where Elm Grove successfully cleared a ball into the Comets half. Cody Trapp challenged for the ball against a Comet defender who had position. As both players ran to collect the ball, the Comet defender tripped and blew the pursuing Trapp out. Bennett who had been working toward the middle to provide Trapp with an option recognized that no foul had occurred and ran the ball down. With less than 45 seconds on the clock, Bennett collected the ball and took the keeper on. He maintained his composure, beat the keeper and then placed the ball into the back of the net for the game winner, with a final score of 2-1.

The Kolping Premier were the opponents for the next match. Elm Grove scored almost immediately when Bennett played a ball through to Sam Long on the right side of the field. Long brought the ball across the end line and then laid a well paced ball back to Goodnetter who side footed the ball into the net. The second goal came when Bennett placed a ball between two Premier defenders onto the foot of the onrushing DeChant. DeChant then placed the ball over the head of the awaiting keeper. William Draeger had continued his run to the far post and had the ball run wide was in a position to finish for Elm Grove. Final score 2-0.

The final game of the weekend was the championship against the Kentucky State Champion Thoroughbreds SC. Elm Grove struck first. A ball was crossed from the left side of the field to the back post of the Thoroughbreds goal. DeChant saved the ball from going out of bounds and one touched the ball back to an awaiting Trapp who pushed the ball into the net for Elm Grove. The Thoroughbreds evened the score on a breakaway shortly before the end of the first half. The second half was a battle with both teams having ample opportunity to score. The best opportunity for the half came when Goodnetter slotted a beautiful ball to Bennett who split two of the Thoroughbreds defenders and held then them off as he went to goal. As he approached the goal and prepared to shoot, the ball hit a bump such that the shot went over the goal. The teams ended the half even at 1. The teams went into overtime. Both teams battled and had opportunities. Haefner who had been solid the entire tournament made save after amazing save. The Elm Grove team thought they had scored when the Thoroughbred keeper mishandled a shot and Elm Grove finished it. The Assistant Referee had made the correct offside call and the goal was disallowed. The first overtime period ended 1 to 1. The second overtime played out much like the first with both teams battling for possession of the ball. With time down to 1:30 remaining in the final overtime period, Goodnetter found Bennett making the same run toward the Thoroughbreds' defense that had produced a chance earlier in the game. Bennett split the Thoroughbreds' defenders and proceeded on to goal. While holding off the two defenders Bennett neatly placed the ball into the net around the Thoroughbreds' keeper who had come out to cut down the angle. The game ended 2-1 Elm Grove Academy.

Thanks to Team Manager Lee Bennett for this excellent report on the team's accomplishments.

Elm Grove Statistics

March 26, 2006